A method of adapting gutta-percha master cones for obturation of open apex cases using heat.

CLINICAL TECHNIQUE: It is generally accepted that the success of root-canal treatment is mainly dependent on the proper cleaning, shaping and hermetic obturation of root canals. Obturation of the root canal is of importance as 60% of endodontic failures are attributable to incomplete obliteration of the root-canal system. The clinical application of many obturation techniques used today demands the preservation of the natural apical construction or the preparation of an artificial equivalent during chemo-mechanical preparation. However, in clinical practice there are cases where the apical foramen is wide because of over-instrumentation, root-end resection during periradicular surgery, root resorption or because the apex of the root is incompletely formed. Thus the preparation of an artificial apical stop is very difficult to achieve. It is a common experience that performing usual gutta-percha condensation techniques in such canals often results in overfilling and therefore special obturation techniques are needed. Some clinical cases of teeth with wide apical foramen treated by a special obturation method are presented in this paper. In this method the end point of the primary gutta-percha cone is elasticized with a heated instrument and inserted into the root canal to record the internal morphology of the apical portion.

[The significance of endodontic therapy before an endodontic surgery]. / E semasia tes endodontikes therapeias ste cheirourgike endodontia.

Conventional Endodontic therapy is the treatment of choice for pulp disease and periapical lesions due to pulp necrosis. Although the percentage of success of endodontic therapy is fairly high, in several cases endodontic therapy cannot perform accurately, or it is impossible to undertaken so as to avoid extraction of tooth. Before an endodontic surgery is performed a conventional endodontic therapy must be attempted because this increases prognosis and reduces the possibilities of failure. The possible presence of lateral canals, communication between periodontal ligament and infected canals through dentinal tubules and the potential hermetic reverse filling, are ones of the main factors which support the necessity of endodontic therapy. Apart from these, many cases have been reported where the basic factor of endodontic surgery failure was not the awkward operations, but the absence of the root canal filling. In this paper authors describe the basic steps and techniques which must be followed so as to avoid the failure of endodontic surgery.

[Fundamental principles for the restoration of the endodontically treated teeth]. / Basikes arches gia ten apokatastase ton endodontika therapeumenon dontion.

The teeth in which an Endodontic Therapy is about to take place usually present destruction of the crown, which after the end of the endodontic therapy needs restoration. For this purpose various technics and materials are used. The advantages and disadvantages of each technic in clinical practice of the restoration of the endodontically treated tooth are described with details is this paper.

[Flap designs for surgical endodontics]. / Kremnoi ste Cheirourgike Endodontia.

The correct approach to surgery is the first step towards a successful surgical result. Care must be taken in flap design to facilitate visibility by the dentist, reduce haemorrhages, produce a good blood stain of the flap and allow for quick healing. There are many flap designs for the surgeon to choose from including a combination of two or three together. This reference described the most common flap designs for surgical Endodontics.

[Perforation during endodontic treatment]. / Iatrogeneis diatreseis kata te diarkeia tes endodontikes therapeias.

Perforations of the pulp chamber wall and area of root may occur during access opening of the pulp chamber and during root canal instrumentation. The authors in this paper describe in details the factors that can lead to perforations of pulp chamber or area of the root, the treatment and factors that affecting the repair and the prognosis of the perforations.